The Amityville Horror(1979)

You know the house. The creepy windows which look like eyes, the weirdness surrounding it. Blood coming from the walls. The flies on the window. It could only be the Amityville Horror. This movie is based on a true story of the Lutz family who lived in the house for a while and witnessed some paranormal activity. Whether or not they really did, this film is a great horror. It begins with George Lutz(James Brolin) and Kathy Lutz(Margot Kidder) and their kids moving into their new home in Amityville, Long Island. They are excited about moving and they are eager to do up the house and make it homely. What they didn't know is that another family had lived there-the DeFeo family who were murdered by the eldest son Ronald DeFeo.

Kathy wants the house blessed by a Catholic priest, played by Rod Steiger. He comes but he becomes ill as he tries to bless the house and an unearthly voice tells him to GET OUT, which he does. The evil spirit in the house causes him to become blind and he tries to help them, but he cannot. Things begin to happen in the house such as things moving and one of the kids has an invisible friend called Jodie. There were swarms of flies in the house as well as cold spots. After a while, George begins to change from a loving father into a maniac.

Eventually, they have to leave after a night of horror. Blood starts coming from the walls and the front door comes off the hinges. They escape and they never come back. There is a lot of doubt about their story, but who knows? This movie is scary and it is creepy too. I love it and I think that is a good atmospheric horror to watch with the lights out. I will review the sequels in other posts. One word of caution, though, watch out for the very dodgy remake!!! It's so bad, it will horrify you!